U.S. patent number 4,511,072 [Application Number 06/623,496] was granted by the patent office on 1985-04-16 for drinking cup holder for automobiles.
Invention is credited to Burgess Owens.
United States Patent |
4,511,072 |
Owens |
April 16, 1985 |
Drinking cup holder for automobiles
Abstract
A cup holder is provided for use in an automobile and is
moveable between a closed mode to accommodate compact storage and
an open mode wherein the cup holder is mountable in the automobile
conveniently relative to a user. The cup holder includes a tray
which receives a drinking cup. Oppositely disposed arms are
connected to the tray and are moveable to engage the cup for
stability.
Inventors: |
Owens; Burgess (Dix Hills,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
24498294 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/623,496 |
Filed: |
June 22, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/549; 108/44;
108/45; 108/46; 220/737; 224/560; 224/562; 224/566; 224/570;
224/926; D7/621 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G
23/0225 (20130101); B60N 3/102 (20130101); B60N
3/106 (20130101); B60N 3/103 (20130101); Y10S
224/926 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
23/00 (20060101); A47G 23/02 (20060101); B60N
3/10 (20060101); A47B 037/00 (); B65D 025/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;224/311,273 ;108/44,46
;D7/70,37 ;248/359A,359.1,503,503.1 ;220/85H |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Marcus; Stephen
Assistant Examiner: Petrik; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Baxley; Charles E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A cup holder for use in an automobile and characterized in
combination by the following:
a pair of trays connected each to the other and foldable between a
spread operable mode and a closed mode wherein the trays are
adjacent each other for storage;
mounting means for connecting at least one of the trays to a
support surface of the automobile convenient to a user;
each of the trays adapted to seat a cup therein;
each of the trays provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arms
for engaging a cup.
2. The cup holder of claim 1 further characterized in that the
mounting means comprises at least one magnet.
3. The cup holder of claim 1 further characterized in that each of
the arms is pivotably connected to its tray and provided with a
plurality of predetermined settings according to cup size.
4. The cup holder of claim 1 further characterized in that the
trays are detachable each from the other.
5. The cup holder of claim 1 further characterized in that the
retainer arms of one tray are arranged in a plane normal to a plane
in which the retainer arms of the other tray are arranged.
6. The cup holder of claim 1 further characterized in that each of
the trays defines a well having an absorbent pad therein.
7. A cup holder for use in an automobile and characterized in
combination by the following:
a tray suitable for mounting a cup thereon;
a bracket connected to the tray and moveable hingedly between an
open vertical position and a closed position adjacent the tray for
storage;
stop means for restricting the bracket in the open position
substantially normal to the tray whereby the tray is positioned
substantially horizontally;
retainer arms spaced from the tray and connected to the bracket
moveably between an open mode wherein they are normal to the
bracket and adapted for embracing the cup and a closed mode wherein
they lay along the bracket for storage;
a hanger connected to the bracket slidably between an extending
position and a retracted position for storage;
the hanger having a distal end adapted for engaging a window
structure of the automobile for positioning the tray conveniently
relative to a user, whereby when not in service the hanger is
moveable to its retracted position and the retainer arms are moved
to their closed mode and the bracket is moved to its closed
position all for compact storage of the cup holder.
8. The cup holder of claim 7 further characterized in that the
retainer arms are connected hingedly to the bracket.
9. The cup holder of claim 7 further characterized in that the
hanger has a hook connected to the distal end hingedly between
an open position for engaging a window structure of the
automobile
and a closed position wherein it lays against the hanger for
storage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to construction of a cup holder
for use in an automobile. More particularly the cup holder has a
closed mode for compact storage and an open mode wherein it is
mountable in the automobile conveniently relative to the driver or
to a passenger. The cup holder may be stored in the glove
compartment. It may be supported from a window structure, the
dashboard or any flat surface, for example, from the inside of an
open gloove compartment door.
Paper or plastic drinking cups for water, coffee, soft drinks and
other beverages are used extensively in automobiles. Such cups are,
by reason of their construction and materials, not inherently
strong or stable and easily overturned or upset. Because it is
often desirable to set a cup aside for a moment, as when the
contained beverage is too hot or too cold or when the user wishes
to free both of his hands for other purposes, the cups are many
times placed on the floor or on other surfaces where they are
likely to spill over or be upset.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 191,444 to Messrs. John J. Schwartz and Arnold
D. Verlo provided an inexpensive and handy cup tray for automobile
use, but their cup tray was not convenient for use in moving
automobiles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,961 to Mr. Thomas M. Hoye offered a beverage
holder apparatus useable in automobiles that pivoted about two axes
and folded for storage. However, the Hoye apparatus was relatively
complicated and somewhat bulky.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,225 to Mr. Berel I. Weinstein presented a
relatively simple holder for drinking cups and the like that was
adapted to be folded to a retracted position when not in use. The
problem with the Weinstein holder was that its bracket remained in
view, even when the holder was not in service.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,104,040 to Mr. Myron B. Stevens taught article
holders for automobile floors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,259 to Mr. Peter Franks employed suspension
holders for beverage cups and other containers, but those holders
took up too much space in the automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,981 to Mr. Thomas H. Lambert suggested an
apparatus of the type here contemplated, but the Lambert apparatus
needed too much space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention described and claimed herein comprises at least one
tray foldable between an open or use mode and a closed mode for
storage. Mounting means removably connect the tray to a support
structure of the automobile for convenient positioning relative to
either the driver or to a passenger. The tray is adapted to receive
a cup therein and is provided with arms for holding the cup against
tipping. Among objects of this invention are the following:
To provide a new, useful and unobvious beverage holder.
To provide a beverage holder which is foldable for convenient
storage, for example, in the glove compartment.
To provide a beverage holder which is particularly well suited for
use in moving automobiles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and advantages of this invention
will appear more fully from descriptions of preferred embodiments
which follow viewed in conjunction with accompanying drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cup holder according to this
invention, in its closed mode;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the cup holder of FIG. 1, likewise
in its closed mode;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the cup holder of FIG. 1, likewise in its
closed mode;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the cup holder of FIG. 1, partly
opened;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cup holder of FIG. 1, in its open
mode;
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view, partly broken, taken along
line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view, partly broken, taken along
line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the cup holder
according to this invention in its closed mode;
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the cup holder according to FIG. 8,
likewise in its closed mode;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the cup holder of FIG. 8, likewise in its
closed mode;
FIG. 11 is a top view, partly broken away, of the cup holder of
FIG. 8 and partly in dotted lines to illustrate relative movability
of parts;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view in section of the cup holder of
FIG. 8 in its operative condition and having a cup therein. Again
dotted lines therein indicate relative movement of parts;
FIG. 13 is a detailed view in section of a bracket and hook
suitable for mounting the cup holder of FIG. 8 on a window
structure of an automobile;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged detailed view of the hook of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As seen on the first sheet of drawings, a preferred embodiment of a
cup holder generally designated 10 is shown in FIG. 3 folded in its
closed mode for storage , for example, in a gloove compartment of
an automobile and in FIG. 6 in its open operative mode positionable
on a relatively flat support structure of an automobile, such as
the open door of the glove compartment, ready to receive a drinking
cup 11 therein. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cup holder 10
includes a pair of trays, 12, 13 connected to each other by means
of a hinge 14 between the open mode shown in FIG. 5 and the closed
mode shown in FIG. 3 wherein the trays are adjacent each other for
storage. The hinge 14 is arranged to be disengageable, so that the
trays 12, 13 can be used separately. Each of the trays 12, 13 is
provided with a well 16 having an absorbent pad 17 therein.
Mounting means are shown as magnets 18 on the outer sides of the
trays 12, 13 which are engageable to steel support surfaces of the
automobile, whereby one or both of the trays 12, 13 can be
positioned conveniently to the driver or to a passenger in the
vehicle.
The cup holder 10 is provided with a clasp 19 for closing the trays
as seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4.
As seen best in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, pairs of arms 21, 22 are provided
to engage a cup (not shown) therebetween. The arms 21, 22 are
mounted on wheels 23 connected rotatably to one of the trays 12,
13. Balls 24 are biased by springs 26 in recesses 27 that engage
the wheels in a plurality of notches 28, 29, 31 to position the
arms 21, 22 in settings suitable for receiving various sizes of
cups or containers therebetween.
To arrange the cup holder 10 for storage, the arms 21, 22 are
collapsed and the trays 12, 13 are folded adjacent each other and
clasp 19 retains the assembly closed.
A second embodiment of the cup holder 10 is shown in FIGS. 8-14.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 depict the cup holder 10 in its closed mode
suitable for storage, while FIG. 12 shows the cup holder 10 open
and ready for use. A tray 12 is hingedly connected to a bracket 32
which forms the upper half of the assembly. A stop 33 is provided
to position the tray 12 in a horizontal orientation while the
bracket 32 is in a vertical position. A hanger member 34 is
slidable in a keyway 36 out of the bracket 32 and is adapted for
engaging a window structure of the automobile (not shown) for
positioning the tray 12 conveniently relative to the driver or a
passenger of the automobile. Retainer arms 21, 22 are moveable
between a closed mode wherein they lay against the bracket 32 for
storage and an open mode wherein they are normal to the bracket 32
and adapted for engaging a drinking cup 11 as best seen in FIG. 12.
The retainer arms may be hinged at 37, 38 to accommodate large
drinking cups.
It will be understood by those familiar with the art to which this
invention most closely pertains that various changes may be made to
the shown and described preferred embodiments, without departing
from a main theme of invention defined in claims hereof.
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